Director
June Lawrence
June Lawrence is a graduate of York University with an Honours Degree in Fine Arts (Dance Major) and is a Full Member of the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association (CDTA), Ballet and Stage Divisions. Mrs. Lawrence has served on the Ballet, Stage and Executive Committees of the CDTA in addition to her role as Ballet and Stage Examiner. In addition, Mrs. Lawrence is proud to be a member of The Canadian Dance Masters Association, a Gold Alliance Leader, and to have the studio recognized as a member of the International Dance Entrepreneurs Association. Her incredible leadership and expertise has provided her with the opportunity to speak and present within the dance community on multiple occasions, both locally and internationally. As part of her continuing education, Mrs. Lawrence attends workshops, seminars and conferences.
June LawrenceInstructors
Morgan Lawrence
Morgan Lawrence has been dancing with June Lawrence School of Dance for over 30 years, and was a member of the Competitive Team during her years as a student. She trained as a Classroom Assistant for 10 years and has completed her CDTA Advanced Ballet, Tap, and Jazz examinations. Miss Morgan attended McMaster University for Civil Engineering and Management, and during her time at McMaster she joined the dance team and competed at various events. Miss Morgan is a full member of Dance Masters of Canada Inc. in the disciplines of Jazz, Tap, and Ballet. She has attended Rhee Gold’s DanceLife Teacher Conferences and I.D.E.A. Business Owner Conferences and seminars. Additionally, Miss Morgan has completed her Acrobatic Arts Module One Teacher Certificate and has taken Progressing Ballet Technique courses. She continues to develop her dance training through professional workshops, classes and seminars. Along with teaching dance, she also works for the Ministry of Transportation as an engineer. Miss Morgan loves working with young dancers because she loves passing on her passion and love for the art.
Morgan LawrenceJoanne Thompson
Joanne Thompson has been dancing with June Lawrence School of Dance for over 30 years. Throughout those years she has been involved with the studio as a parent of a JLSD competitive dancer, and she continues to participate in adult classes herself. Mrs. Thompson is excited to have two grandchildren that dance at the studio now too!
Mrs. Thompson brings 22 years of teaching experience to JLSD. She has completed CDTA tap exams, and has completed level two of Dance Masters of America. This summer she has continued her dance education by attending the Rhee Gold DanceLife Teacher conference in Arizona, and Tap Syllabus Training through the Tap Dance Centre. Mrs. Thompson enjoys theatre and working on any arts and crafts projects, which includes props and costumes for JLSD dance numbers. Most of all she loves sharing her love of dance with her young students.
Joanne ThompsonMatti Saidyfye
Matti Saidyfye has been dancing since the age of 7, with most of her training focused in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and Hip Hop. Throughout her many years of dancing she has been a part of the June Lawrence School of Dance competitive dance team, a Hip Hop dance Crew, and has had the opportunity to do performances and workshops within the dance community. Miss Matti has been teaching dance for over 10 years and is a certified Tap and Jazz instructor under Dance Masters of Canada, and is a certified Module One instructor under Acrobatic Arts. Over the past few years she has continued to explore her passion for dance by learning and teaching Salsa and Bachata classes, as well as performing with a Bollywood dance group at various events in Ontario. Miss Matti is looking forward to another amazing year working with the students of JLSD!
Matti SaidyfyeMonica Szustakowski
Monica Szustakowski has trained in a wide variety of styles from a young age. This is her 9th season teaching at JLSD and this year she will be teaching Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary and Musical Theatre. Miss Monica holds an Advanced Diploma with Distinction for Music Theatre Performance from St. Lawrence College, as well as the Canadian Dance Masters of America teacher certification in Ballet. Miss Monica has also successfully completed the Tap Dance Centre’s Syllabus Teacher Training, as well as the teacher training in Progressing Ballet Technique.
Miss Monica actively continues her own training and professional development by taking class, attending workshops and seminars to expand her teaching knowledge, and performing professionally in the theatre industry. You may have seen Miss Monica most recently in Annie: The Musical at the Randolph Theatre in Toronto. Other notable performances include Neleus in Mary Poppins (LOT), Wanda in Fancy Nancy: The Musical (LOT), Laker Girl in Spamalot (LOT).
Miss Monica has also proudly taken on the role of Company Coordinator for JLSD, as well as providing Company choreography every season. Miss Monica has been recognized for her competitive choreography over the years, winning multiple awards at competitions around the GTA.
Miss Monica looks forward to a wonderful new season continuing to share her passion for theatre and dance with her students.
Monica SzustakowskiHeather Kaczor
Heather Kaczor has been dancing with June Lawrence School of Dance for over 30 years, and was a member of the Competitive Team during her years as a student. She trained as a Classroom Assistant for 4 years and has completed her CDTA Advanced Jazz, Ballet, and Tap examinations. Mrs. K attended George Brown College for Fitness and Lifestyle Management, and has completed a number of certifications including Acrobatic Arts Module One, Personal Training Specialists, CPT, Can-Fit-Pro, Sports Movement Specialist (Level 1), Pre/Post Natal, Bosu, Foam Rolling Grid, and Reebok Spinning.
Heather continues to learn and develop her training by taking classes, staying active, and attending professional workshops, seminars and conferences. Alongside her work at JLSD, she also works in the fitness industry as a full-time personal trainer, and is the proud owner of two health and wellness companies (Go Motion and an Independent Consultant with Arbonne International).
Mrs. K looks forward to meeting and/or teaching you soon, and can’t wait to see what the next dance season brings!
Heather KaczorTraci Morson
Traci Morson has been dancing with the June Lawrence School of Dance for over 25 years. She trained as a Classroom Assistant for 6 years and has completed her CDTA Advanced Ballet examination. She also is certified under the Dance Masters of America for Tap and Ballet. Miss Traci is a graduate from the University of Toronto, having obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree while majoring in Psychology. Continuing her education, she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology to work in the mental health field as a psychotherapist. Along with her joy of teaching dance, Miss Traci also expresses her creativity through writing, drawing, and spending her down time with games or tv shows. Miss Traci loves working with people of all ages and witnessing their development and growth. She enjoys all her students’ enthusiasm and energy, loves to see them meet and excel at each new challenge, and appreciates that there is no age limit to dance!
Traci MorsonConcierge Team
Lucille Harwood
Lucille Harwood has been a part of the June Lawrence School of Dance family for more than 20 years, playing many roles including parent, student, and Concierge team member. All three of her daughters have been dancing since the age of 3, and were all part of the JLSD Company during their dancing years. As a student in the adult tap class herself, Mrs. Harwood enjoys the laughter, the camaraderie of the ladies, and the challenge of the dance. She has actively been a part of Company and year-end performance prep, including costumes, props, stage sets, quick changes, and backstage assistance. She also enjoys the challenges and creativity in working with the teachers each year to bring their ideas for the Company to fruition. Mrs. Harwood is part of our studio Concierge team and looks forward to assisting our clientele and meeting new dance families.
Lucille HarwoodSharon Cruickshank
Sharon Cruickshank holds a BSc in Psychology from the University of Toronto, and has spent the last 26 years raising 4 children and supporting their interests which include dance, baseball and music. Mrs. Cruickshank has been a part of the JLSD family for 16 years as a parent. For many of those years she was a Company parent which she says was an exciting time and so much fun for both her and her daughter. Mrs. Cruickshank is happy to be on the other side of the desk now to watch the dancers smile, dance and grow confident each day.
Sharon CruickshankKaelin Cruickshank
Kaelin Cruickshank has been dancing with June Lawrence School of Dance since she was 5 years old, and is currently studying Medical Administration at Sheridan College here in Mississauga. During her time as a JLSD student, Miss Kaelin was a member of the JLSD Company, a Class Assistant and a Studio Ambassador. She also took part in various dance workshops and CDTA dance exams. She enjoys helping our JLSD families and sharing her love of dance with the students and parents.
Kaelin CruickshankJaiden D'Onofrio
Jaiden D’Onofrio has danced with JLSD since the age of 12 and is currently studying Kinesiology & Health Science at York University. In her time as a student at JLSD, Miss Jaiden was a competitive dancer and class assistant. After graduating from being a student, she became a part of the staff and now teaches the Creative Dance Series. She has completed courses with DiscoverDance, and is still furthering her teaching education by attending workshops and certificate programs.
Jaiden D’Onofrio
